Ursula von der Leyen Champions Coordinated EU Approach to Safeguard Those with Coeliac Disease

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlights existing EU legislation and coordination efforts aimed at protecting people with coeliac disease, aiming to harmonize protections across member states. The policies impact coeliac patients needing gluten-free food access, public health authorities, food producers, and catering services, sparking probable reactions concerning regulation uniformity and operational costs.

This response follows a parliamentary question by Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), calling for greater EU-level coordination to ensure uniform access to safe gluten-free products and services, as well as allowances on carrying gluten-free food on flights.

Von der Leyen's answer references two main regulations ensuring allergen and gluten labeling and setting standards for gluten-free products, forming a harmonized consumer protection framework. The Commission also supports the Healthier Together initiative addressing non-communicable diseases like coeliac disease, with an Expert Group advising on health policies and sharing best practices. However, concrete financial support measures or new regulatory structures are delegated to member states, and no quantitative targets or new EU funding commitments are made.

Policy orientation suggests a preference for maintaining existing EU-level regulatory harmonization combined with support for member states’ autonomy in healthcare delivery and financial measures. The approach emphasizes coordination and guidance over imposing new EU mandates or expanding legislative powers, maintaining a balance between EU regulation and national sovereignty.

The Commission's reply sends signals about sustaining the current balance between EU-level regulation and member state responsibility, with the Parliamentary question acting as a catalyst for further monitoring and potential future initiatives within this framework.